Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 48
तेनाग्नयो हुताः सम्यक्पितरश्चापि तर्पिताः । देवाश्च पूजितास्तेन यो ददाति गवाह्निकम्
tenāgnayo hutāḥ samyakpitaraścāpi tarpitāḥ | devāśca pūjitāstena yo dadāti gavāhnikam
By that act, the sacred fires are properly offered into, the ancestors are satisfied, and the gods are worshipped—when a person gives the cow’s daily due (their daily sustenance/service).
Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator within Prabhāsa Khaṇḍa context)
Tirtha: Prabhāsa-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A devotee offers fodder/water to cows; above, symbolic triad: Agni flame, pitṛs receiving water offerings, and devas receiving flowers—linked by a single golden thread from the act of go-ahnika.
FAQs
Serving cows is portrayed as a comprehensive dharmic act that simultaneously honors gods, ancestors, and sacred fire.
Prabhāsakṣetra, where simple acts of service are elevated to major ritual merit.
Giving “gavāhnikam”—the cow’s daily due such as fodder, care, and daily service.
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